Over the weekend, newly elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi ordered that Egypt's Islamist-dominated parliament -- dissolved last month by Egypt's highest court in a move backed by the military -- be reconvened. His decree was seen by many as a direct challenge to the court and the military.
Mbaye Lo Assistant Professor of the Practice, Asian & Middle Eastern Studies; professor of Arabic; member of Duke Islamic Studies Center (DISC), Duke Universitymbayelo@duke.eduhttp://islamicstudies.duke.edu/people?Gurl=%2Faas%2Fdisc&Uil=mbayelo&subpage=profile Lo's research interests include the sociology of Islam and theories of civil society. Currently in Cairo, he is serving as faculty director for the DukeEngage Egypt student civic engagement program. Quote: "Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's surprise decree on Sunday to reconvene parliament is generally perceived by most Egyptian newspapers as a defiant act to both the High Constitutional Court and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. Following his decree, pro-military groups accused Morsi of treason for not upholding his oath of office. "Depending on what happens, the parliament, which has been very unpopular among Egyptians except Muslim Brotherhood supporters, could become irrelevant as a respectful branch of government, and this could potentially weaken his presidency."